
Roger Hillyard first came to Zen practice in 2007, and studied as a nonresident at City Center for four years. During that time he became the Jiko (attendant) for his teacher Shosan Victoria Austin and continued in that role for six years. He received Buddha’s precepts and lay initiation from Shosan in 2009. In 2011, he became a full-time resident at City Center. He has lived and worked at Tassajara, Green Gulch, and City Center. He served on the SFZC Board and has held a variety of positions in the three temples. Roger was Shuso (head student) for the fall 2020 practice period at City Center. In 2025 he was Lay Entrusted by his teacher Rinso Ed Sattizahn; Entrustment invested him as a Practice Leader charged with practicing and teaching the dharma. In addition to his Zen practice, Roger has been actively involved in recovery for over thirty years.